Proactive Learning

The UW Oshkosh ES program offers an exceptional curriculum and educational experience. But if you want to get the best education you can, and if you want to impress potential employers and graduate schools, engaging in proactive learning is highly recommended.

What is proactive learning?It is taking advantage of opportunities to learn outside of your ES courses. And there are many such opportunities in Wisconsin, at all times of the year. You just need to find out what they are, which ones makes sense for you, and get yourself in gear.

What are the opportunities?Some of them are also volunteer opportunities, as you receive training in taking care of nature and you learn as you add to your record of engagement. Some of them are one-day affairs, others go for weeks. There are so many specific opportunities it is best to start thinking about different kinds and locations of proactive learning.

Citizen Monitoring and InventoryThrough the DNR and many other organizations, you can receive on-the-ground training that enables you to inventory animals and plants and monitor environmental quality (e.g., water). There are a LOT of these opportunities in the state. Some are one day events, others last over weeks. Click here to find out more.

Special TrainingSome Nature Centers, state organizations, and the DNR offer special training, such as the Master Gardener program, a Master Naturalist series at Riveredge Nature Center, and the DNR Hunting Safety course. There are also a number of effective workshops that train students in being effective agents of positive social and environmental change. Making a difference requires skills! Check out some of these programs.

Special EventsEspecially during spring and summer, there are special events that can be very educational. Perhaps the richest opportunity is the Horicon Bird Festival. Particularly valuable are several "BioBlitzes."

Green JobsInterested in a green job? The National Wildlife Federation has a Greenforce initiative. It is aimed at community colleges, but they have some resources, including webinars, that could be useful and add to your proactive resume.